Metallurgical furnace.



PATENTED JULY 21,

W. N. BEST.

METALLURGICAL P EENAGE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.31,1903.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

K M N No. 894,107. PATENTED JULY 21, 1908.

- w. N. BEST.

METALLURGICAL FURNACE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.31,1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 1W; l i f r'=- [=1 n 1a I ,6 6 ZUi/ZiamJE/Besi j K Y W No. 894,107. -ATENTED JULY 21,1908.

W. N. BEST.

METALLURGICAL FURNACE.

APPLIUATION FILED Dl".0.31,1903.

3 SHEET$SHEET 3.

1,1 IH I 1 I if I F I x heat is absolutely worthless,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM NEWTON BEST, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA,

ASSIGNOB TO JOHN H. BEST AND EZRA BEST, OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS.

METALLURGICAL FURNACE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented July 21, 1908.

Application filed December 31, 1903. Serial No. 187,311.

. the following is a specification.

This invention relates to furnace heated by oil as fuel.

object of the invention is to provide-a Ipralctical metallurgical furnace using oil as ue q A further object is to provide means for regulating the character of the product of the furnace.

- In previous methods of melting cast iron in cupolas where coke is used, although the charge of coke and iron is weighed in order to obtain a cast iron of a certain proportion of carbon, yet it is known in practice that the iron of the last of the heat is always different from the iron of the first of the heat for the reason that the carbon in the coke is absorbed by the iron, and, as a result, the iron of the last of the heat contains excessive carbon, so that often the iron of the last pouring from the being so hard that the metal cannot be turned and laid. By the use of oil fuel this difficulty of uneven quality of metal may be overcome, and an object of this invention is to provide a furnace in which the carbon in the molten metal may be reduced until the metal becomes quite malleable, and thereby make a superior quality of cast iron and to reduce the carbon where necessary until a cast metal is produced that can be bent without breaking.

One object of my invention is to provide a metallurgical furnace, which, while affording the greatest concentration and application of the heat units applied thereto, will effectively oxidize and decarbonize the metals reduced therein. 7

Another object of my invention is to provide a furnace of economical construction, together with great strength to resist the va riations of temperature to which it is subjected.

- My invention, broadly stated, consists in a metallurgical furnace of the combination of a I fire and reducing-chamber and a crucible and oxidizing-chamber connected therewith and a metallurgical the arranged to receive the molten metal from the fire and reducing-chamber, and to hold same as a reservoir or for treatment to oxidize or decarbonize the same.

My invention also includes in a metallurgical furnace comprising a fire-chamber and reducing-chamber, means for introducing fuel into such fire-chamber, regulable means for introducing air thereto, and means for controlling the exit of the heat and fumes from the reducing-chamber.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.

Figure I is a longitudinal, sectional View of the fire and 'reducingchamberof the furnace. Fig. II is a plan view of the furnace, showing one metal crucible-chamberatnits side. Fig. III is a plan view of the furnace with two crucibles attached thereto, one on each side of the reducing-chambe1i F is a longitudinal section of the crucible-g. chamber and across the reducing-chamh'e j; taken on line IV-IV, Fig. I. Figfvisi a-j'igi section of the reducing-chamber takenfprifline VV, Fig. I. Fig. VI is a View ofj'tlie end of the crucible-chamber showing an open ing for the introduction of hydrocarbon fuel.

l is the reducing chamber provided with an inclined floor a sloping downward toward a fire chamber 2 having a substantially horizontal floor b which extends somewhat above the level ofthe floor 0 connecting between the floor a and b slanting upward toward the floor a of the fire chamber at a reduced degree of angularity.

3 designates one or more lateral crucible chambers which communicate with the intermediate portion of vestibule cl within the apparatus between the the chamber 2 and the reducing chamber 1. 4 designates a passage communicating between the fire spaces of the firechamber and the reducing chamber and the fire space of the crucible chamber through the intermediate portion I ing-chamber 1.

' vestibule,

I 6 is a hydrocarbon burner arranged to project flame into the crucible-chamber 3.

7 is an air-pipe arranged to su ply air above the burner 5 in the fire-chain er.

8 is an air-pipe arranged to introduce air into the crucible-chamber 3 above the molten metal.

9, 9 are air-pipes arranged to introduce air into the crucible-chamber at a point below the burner 6.

The fire passage 4 between the crucible chamber 3 and the vestibule (1, extends upward nearly to the tops of said crucible chamber and vestibule, and the floor of the crucible chamber has a sloping portion forming a sharp incline leading downward from the floor of the passage 4 toward the oil burner 6, to give upward direction to the blast from such burner; said fire passage 4 being contracted relative to the crucible chamber 3 and vestibule d.

The floor a, of the reducing chamber hasa greater inclination than the floor c of the in order that the force of gravity may assist in starting the movement of the molten; material in the reducing chamber, and that the tendency of the molten material to flow rapidly will be reduced as the material becomes more liquid, and at the vestibule a change of direction will take place in said molten material at the oint where the fires from the crucible cham er and from the fire chamber will impinge upon each other, causing an intense heat upon the molten material in the vestibule, whereby said material becomes highly heated and highly fluid, and therefore ready for further treatment by introduction of the air through the air pipes 9 which are arranged to open through the slanting portion a of the crucible floor to apply air to the molten material in its highly xfluid state, which is increased by the concentration of the flame from the oil burner 6 directed thereonto.

10, 10, 10 are doors arranged to admit the unreduced charges of metal into the reduc- 11 is a slag outlet from ber 3.

12 is a spout to the crucible-chamdraw the metal from'the crucible-chamber 3.

13 is a door or outlet in the bottom of the crucible-chamber 3.

. 14, 14 are supports for the body of the reducing-chamber.

1 15, 15 are channel irons carried on -crossbeams 16. a

'17 is an iron or steel sheeting floor which supports and carries the brick-work 18 of the body of the furnace.

19 indicates the arched brick of the roof of the furnace-chamber.

20, 20 are ribs held together by means of bolts or stays 21, 21 at top and bottom of the furnace-body.

'22 is.a covered man-hole to the cruciblechamber 3. 23 is the smoke-stack. 24 is,

through the end of the chamber as indicated by the hydrocarbon burner 5 at the opening 6, and a suitable quantity of air is supplied above the burner. When the metal is reduced to a liquid state it flows, down from the chamber 1 into the fire-chamber 2 and is drained therefrom into the crucible-chamber 3 through the passage 4.

When the reducing and fire chambersl and 2 have been heated to a high degree of heat, the damper 24 is partially closed and the amount of combustibles admitted to the fire-chamber is regulated to the requirement to maintain the heat at the proper temperature, and air is admitted through the air-pipe is retained in the. re-

cohibustion; the heat ducing-chamber an 1 with a small amount of fuel the temperature is maintained at the proper degree.

I am not aware that any metallurgical furnace of this class has heretofore been pro duced which will allow of the closing of the draft flue and rely upon the supply of oxygen to promote combustion, and I believe my invention to be broadly new in this res ect. It is well known in the art of thermochemistry that it is necessary to furnish a supply of oxygen to continue combustion, and in furnaces of this character it is ordinarily customary to supply the oxygen by a forced draft and to allow of the free egress of heat and fumes from the top of the chamber through a smoke-stack or flue.

By my invention I am enabled to reduce valuable ores in the fire and reducing-chamber Without the consequent loss by What is commonly known as flue-dust, which dust is carried away from the ores while in the course of reduction by the excessive draft required to supply oxygen to the combustibles in the reducing-chamber.

When it is desired to decarbonize or oxidize a metal or mineral, I apply heat to the crucible-chamber 3 through the medium of a hydrocarbon burner or other means and maintain the molten liquid at a high degree of temperature which, in case of there being a low percentage of carbon contained in the iron, w ll readily remove such excess. In

case a large percentage of carbon is contained in the iron or other metal, I fill the cruciblel the use of which iron 0 the molten metal when applying the air.

In ordinary practice, when the furnace is used for meltingpig iron for casting purposes, the fire will be introduced into thefirechamber 2, thereby heating the reducingchamber 1, and the auxiliary fire will be in troduced into the crucible-chamber 3 until the chambers are thoroughly heated, when the fire from burner 6 may be stopped and fire from the burner 5 continued, the charge of metal being placed in the reducing-chamber 1 through the doors 10, 10.

Whenthe metal has been melted to the liquid point it will run downward on the floor of the chamber 1 into the fire-chamber and thence be drained into the crucible-chamber 3 where it will remain until drawn therefrom throughthe spout 12. By my invention I rovide a furnace by f the same texture can be produced for each separate run. When the crucible-chamber 3 has received a suitable charge of iron and it is desired to reduce the carbon therein, the burner 6 or other medium for admitting an oxidizing blast of flame from the oil burner, mingled with air, to-the chamber is put in operation and the metal is kept at a high degree of heat until the carbon is reduced in gree desired.

My improved metallurgical furnace is especially adapted for the reduction of those ores which carry a percentage of sulfursuch as cop er ores. Inreducing copper ores, the ore wi 1 be placed in thechamber 1 and the metal carrying a ercentage of sulfur will run down the floor o the chamber into the firechamber 2 and thence into the cruciblechamber 3 where and will agitate and oxidize the same, thereby relieving it of the sulfur, the heat-supplying means at the end of the chamber assisting in the action.

When my furnace is used in meltingiron or steel for casting purposes, and it is desired to prepare a large quantity of metal, I provide a crucible-chamber upon either side of the reducing-chamber, as shown in Fig. III; this enables me to melt a large, quantit of iron and contain it the crucible-chambers until ready for use.

Prefthe metal to the de-.

the'air-pipes 9, 9 will sup ply air under pressure to the molten metal fire chamber,

' with When the crucible-chamber is heatedby the burner 6 it assists ing the fire-chamber 2 and the reducingchamber 1, as the heat from this chamber is communicated through the passage 4. into the fire-chamber2 and reducing-chamber 1, but it will not at all times be necessary to maintain the supplemental burner in the crucible-chamber.

When it is desired to clean the floor of the crucible-chamber 3, the bottom 13 is removed and the man-hole 22 is opened, which allows a draft of air through the cruciblechamber which will quickly cool it and allow of the ingress of a man to perform such work. In the construction of the furnace I prefer to support the same upon uprights 14, 14 which are connected together at their tops by cross-beams 16 upon which are laid channel irons- 15, 15 running lengthwise of the reducing-chamber; U on these channel irons I place a sheet metal fioor 17 u on which is constructed the furnace-walls of other suitable material, and the walls are bound together by means of bolts 21, 21 and the side bars 20, which prevent the walls of the furnace from cracking by the expansion and contraction occasioned by the variation in heat.

, The arches of the crucible-chamber and the reducing-chamber are made of the ordivery materially in heatfire-brick or nary arch bricks and the tie-rods 21, 21 are firmly drawn up to clamp and hold the bricks in position.

, -The doors 10,, 10 are arranged to be retained in position to close the openings into the furnace-body by their own gravity; that is to say, the mouth of the openings are arranged aslant and the doors are thus allowed to lie aslant against them. This effectually closes the openings and prevents any puffing out of the heat or flame.

When two crucible chambers are employed a'dam or dividing partition may be placed in the fire-chamber to divert or. divide the molten metal when flowing into one or the other of such chambers by opening the lower door on the top of the furnace.

Now having described my invention what I claim as new is l. A metallurgical furnace comprising a reducing chamber having an inclined floor,

a fire chamber toward which said floor slants downward, a vestibule between said fire chamber and reducing chamber, the floor of the vestibule being lower than that of the a laterally-disposed crucible chamber, a fire passage opening communicating between the crucible chamber and the vestibule, said passage-Way being provided a fioor sloping downwardly from the vestibule into the crucible chamber, an oilburnerinlet opening into the fire chamber at the end opposite the reducing chamber, an oil burner arranged to direct fire through said opening into the fire chamber, an oilburner inlet opening into the crucible chamber in the end opposite the passage into the vestibule, and an oil-burner arranged to direct fire downwardly into the crucible 4 chamber.

2. A metallurgical furnace comprising a reducing chamber, vestibule and fire chamber arranged in line with each other, the reducing chamber being provided with a floor sloping downwardly toward the vestibule, a passage opening laterally from the vestibule, a crucible chamber communicating with said passage, and oil burners for said fire chamber and for said crucible chamber, one being arranged to direct fire along the fire chamber and across the passage, and the other being arranged to direct fire into the crucible chamber and toward the vestibule.

' being provided with afloor sloping downwardly'from the vestibule into the crucible chamber, an oil-burner inlet opening into the fire chamber at the end opposite the reducing chamber, an oil burner arranged to direct fire through said openinginto the fire chamber, an oil-burner inlet opening into the crucible chamber in the end opposite the passage into the vestibule, an oil burner arranged to direct fire-downwardly into the crucible chamber, and means for directing air into the crucible chamber through the slanting floor thereof toward the oil burner for said crucible chamber.

4. A metallurgical furnace comprising a reducing chamber, a vestibule and a fire chamber arranged in line with each other, an oil burner to direct fire into the fire chamber toward said vestibule and reducing chamber, crucible chambers on opposite sides of said vestibule and communicating with said vestibule, and oil burners in the ends of said crucible chambers respectively opposite the vestibule and arranged to direct fire toward the vestibule.

5. In a metallurgical furnace, in combination With the fire and reducing-chambers thereof, an inclosed crucible-chamber communicating with the fire-chamber having fire-admitting means, and means for admitting air under the infiowing molten metal.

6. In a metallurgical furnace, in combination with the fire and reducing-chambers thereof, an inclosed crucible-chamber communicating with the fire-chamber having air openings for admitting air under pressure to such chamber and directing the same horizontally into the flowing -molten metal, such openings being horizontal and arranged obliquely to the Walls of the chamber and hydrocarbon burners for heating said chambers.

' In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles, and State of California, this 23rd day of December, 1903.

WlLlJlAM NE /VTON BEST.

r7 i. r. lownsrmn,

T m JULIA r wnsann 

